Ex-CYS worker pleads guilty to pot charge

A former Adams County Children and Youth Services worker pleaded guilty Monday to drug charges, agreeing to serve 11 months in jail as part of her sentence.

Sabrina R. Warrenfeltz is one of three people charged in what prosecutors say are related cases from Butler Township.

Joseph Phillip Zemo, who lived with Warrenfeltz at the 380 Fox Hill Road home at which police allegedly uncovered a marijuana-growing operation, last week received a postponement to enter his pleas on the charges he faces. And Dave Steven McCue, who prosecutors said lived at a separate residence on the same Fox Hill Road property, pleaded guilty Monday to three of the drug counts he faced, agreeing to serve a three- to six-year term in state prison.

Warrenfeltz, 41, pleaded guilty to one count of manufacture of a controlled substance. In exchange for that plea, the former CYS worker would serve a five-year sentence in the county's Intermediate Punishment Program, based on her agreement with the District Attorney's office. Eleven months of that term would be served in Adams County prison.

Warrenfeltz is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 14, after which she would begin serving her jail sentence.

Zemo, 44, is due to appear in court again on Feb. 25, and he remains on schedule for an April trial on two counts of manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to deliver marijuana, and one count each of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a firearm.

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The Adams County Drug Task Force in August served a warrant on the home Warrenfeltz and Zemo shared. About 45 marijuana plants - about 20 of them 4 feet high - were discovered in the residence, court documents indicate. Officers also are alleged to have found glass jars containing processed marijuana, a box of sandwich bags, a digital scale, grow lights and other growing equipment, as well as smoking devices.

Warrenfeltz allegedly admitted to police she helped to grow the marijuana, but told police that Zemo was the one who sold it, court documents said. Police say when they raided the home in which McCue lived, they found 135 marijuana plants, as well as tagged jars and plastic containers filled with marijuana. Prosecutors said McCue also was found in possession of equipment such as lights and fans that are used in the cultivation of marijuana. A tray of live psychedelic mushrooms also was found growing at the residence, prosecutors said.

McCue, 38, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, and two counts of manufacture of a controlled substance. All of those charges are third-degree felonies.

McCue faced the possibility of maximum sentences that were double their typical severity because he has prior felony drug convictions on his record, Adams County Judge Michael A. George said. On the charges to which he pleaded, McCue faced a potential maximum exposure of 30 years in jail and $90,000 in fines, George said.

His deal with prosecutors calls for him to serve three to six years in state prison. There is no agreement to the amount McCue might be fined. Like Warrenfeltz, McCue is scheduled to appear for sentencing on Feb. 14.

Judge George instructed McCue to be prepared to begin serving his prison term on the date he is sentenced.

Adams County Children and Youth Services provides foster care, placement and other protective services centering on child welfare.

Warrenfeltz was immediately removed from her position and suspended without pay after the county commissioners were made aware of the possible charges, and she was fired when she was charged.